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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 19:50:28 GMT
Well, the plant I took the cuttings from has been sitting outdoors for three years in an old wheelbarrow, through snow and sleet, and it's very hardy. I'll heed your advice about the 7 year limit, though.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 20:00:31 GMT
I went little bit overboard with my seed ordering, especially with the sweet peas which I finally got in the ground yesterday. They're heirloom organic varieties from Renee's Garden out of Colorodo. They were 1/2 price because their planting season for this year is over, ours just began last month. I got 9 different varieties, several lovely nasturtiums,and some Nicotiana elata.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 20:16:34 GMT
Sounds great, casi. I buy Renées seeds as well. *sigh* Planting sweet peas in October! I've ordered all my seed catalogues, but the only thing I can put in the ground right now are spring bulbs. I'll peruse my catalogues this fall, and I will not start seeds too early this year. Learned the very hard way.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 23:24:46 GMT
Well, look at this this way Lizzy, after my sweet pea pods form, you could be the recipient of some cool seeds...K?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 23:31:34 GMT
OK!
I'll let everybody know, I am an unabashed seed saver. I've been gathering and gathering all year. Maybe I should start a thread, "Seed Exchange", where we could all list what we have and share.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 11:07:25 GMT
I am a voracious seed hoarder and frequently barter with fellow gardeners. I am game!! Many of your lovely flowers that grow there won't "do here" (such as the aforementioned columbine with the exception of one lovely pale yellow native variety). But, I'm sure there are plenty that will. Let's do it!!!!
The descriptions of the seeds in Renee's Garden are what really sold me. I want a job like that!!!!
Check out this one: Sweet Pea "Lipstick": "Stylish and sophisticated, the large frilled blossoms of Lipstick are a clear vibrant cherry red that is romantic and riveting in the garden. The luscious flowers are carried in profusion on long cutting stems, making them perfect for eye-catching bouquets. Their vivid red hue reminds one of the glossy lips of siren movie stars from Hollywood's golden era."
SOLD!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 15:30:19 GMT
Plant porn. I am well acquainted with it.
Well, OK. In the next few days, I will gather all the seeds I can spare from my collection and list them in a new thread. I've already sent a few off to a member on this board, but I'd love to share.
(I've just now convinced my husband that I need to order some saffron crocuses. it's in his best culinary interests. Yay!)
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 12:01:34 GMT
A gentleman in my neighborhood is doing away with a whole bed of varied Louisiana iris. His late wife had planted them some 20 or so years ago and I admire them every year. After she died, the whole garden, most especially this particular bed, went into disarray and he got "tired" of dealing with it. And so, a few days ago when I saw him, I mentioned to him that this is the best time of year to divide iris. He told me he really couldn't be bothered, he'd just as soon be rid of it. My jaw dropped... He then offered them to me. And so, this morning my husband is going to help me go over there and dig up the bed of beauties. (about 30 feet long)!!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 15:00:46 GMT
Oh boy, casi, what a find. They're beautiful! Have you got room to plant them and let them naturalise? If not, I'm sure there are people around who would love to take them off your hands. I've read they even do well in New York. Unfortunately, I don't think they'd be good for me because we have summer droughts and everything has to be able to survive with no water for a couple of months, and I don't think your iris could.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 16:12:21 GMT
We just got back from digging them up. Not too difficult because the tubers run horizontally so not a major chore. The entangled crab grass was the bigger pain. I have tons of room for them in both the front and back garden. When they multiply and need re-division I will give some away. For now, I'm being greedy about them. They were not labelled so, I'm not positive of which are what and want to wait and see what I have, label them properly, and, take it from there... I know there are some positively gorgeous yellow ones with a maroon veined throat and some pale lavenders and whites along with the dark purple classics. I also came away with some cuttings of a hybrid fig called "Black Jack" that he has. I've tasted them before and although not as sweet as the native varieties, "Brown Turkey" and "Celeste" they are huge and make for wonderful grilling with goat cheese and basted with balsamic vinegar. Ridiculously easy to propagate. I'm a happy camper!!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 16:25:28 GMT
Congratulations!!
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Post by fumobici on Oct 8, 2014 20:41:05 GMT
I've never had irises noticably suffer from summer drought here, either the flag or bearded type. But lawdy knows what sorts of irises they grow in NO.
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Post by htmb on Oct 8, 2014 21:09:31 GMT
Sounds like a wonderful gift for you, Casimira.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2014 23:59:18 GMT
Apparently those NOLA irises need lots of moisture.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2014 12:02:21 GMT
Yes Lizzy, they do like damp garden conditions.
In the Springtime, there are spectacular shows of them growing in the swamps. People will come from all over to see them. We try to take the canoe out to one of the parks here that is primarily marsh. An experience many people that we have taken to see tell us they will never forget. Being out in the middle of nowhere surrounded by thousands of blooming iris (and alligators and snakes...).
When I worked in Social work, I used to try and take a group of patients on a field trip to go see them. It was amazing to see how therapeutic these excursions served as a calming, anxiety reducing tool. Even the most agitated and aggressive personalities would magically become serene. I wish more hospitals and clinics would utilize the environment as therapeutic tools.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2014 23:09:32 GMT
This past weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving, American Columbus Day, Seattle's Indiginous People's Day)I painted the cabin and spent some of the time doing some planting for next year. On what we call Nut Tree Hill (a slope near the entrance to our property) I planted Amethyst Meadow Squills, Quail Narcissus and I moved my honeymoon bulbs bought at Schiphol airport there as well. I planted a pot full of Crocus sativus that I hope will multiply into some saffron in a few years, and I planted Camas seeds and bulbs, Iris tenax seeds that my little flower yielded this year, and some salal seeds. I hope something comes up in the spring.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 0:02:13 GMT
Saffron crocuses.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 16:36:28 GMT
YIP!!! Looking good Lizzy!!
We haven't had any rain for over 3 weeks now, and while I have been basking in the glorious weather that we've been graced with, all the seeds I sowed are struggling for a good soaking rain. I have been very diligent about keeping them watered, we know there is nothing like a good soaking rain to give them that umph. And, my rain barrel is running low.
Even the ferns look piqued....
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 16:51:28 GMT
I will send some Pacific Northwest precipitation your way, casi.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2014 16:54:37 GMT
GRAZIE!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 18:43:29 GMT
I spent the afternoon yesterday clearing off what we call Nut Tree Hill. My white bluebells are springing up and multiplying. The daffodils are about 3" high. I planted some Narcissus Quail and Amethyst Squills, but we're still waiting on those. I pulled out all of the cleavers and other weeds, leaving only the native forget-me-nots that are incipient. I love Spring!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2015 3:20:54 GMT
YIP YIP!! Please!don't enter/post/ the word cleavers ever again, lest I never speak to you again ... And,you know how fond I am of you.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 27, 2015 3:38:15 GMT
Sorry, casi, I never knew that word was verboten... Perhaps one day you'll trust me enough to share the trauma.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 28, 2015 15:21:22 GMT
I moved house 2 weeks ago so have a completely blank canvas to work on. Garden has a wall some 30' long by 12' high (15' in the centre)totally covered in ivy but over yesterday and today it has all been removed.
Huge potential.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 16:15:52 GMT
Oh, ivy can be a bugger. Good for you. And the best of luck! Which direction does the wall face?
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Post by onlyMark on Jan 28, 2015 16:29:00 GMT
One side faces into the garden. The other one doesn't.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 16:32:25 GMT
Haha. N.S.E.W.? You don't have to answer if it's a secret...
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 28, 2015 16:39:35 GMT
For the world to see - West! (Good, eh)
Actually I have 2 west facing walls as the front of the house (house is lengthways)faces West too. Veg in containers allocated there mainly.
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Post by mickthecactus on Jan 28, 2015 16:49:17 GMT
And all suggestions gratefully received....
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Post by Deleted on Jan 28, 2015 17:01:22 GMT
Oh, wait until casimira gets here, she'll be all over this like a duck on a Junebug. The rest of us are thinking...
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